11. How To Successfully Bury The Past
Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew
28:19.
Bible baptism is important for Jesus said, "He who believes and is
baptized will be saved." Mark
16:16. So baptism is an essential requirement for salvation.
Belief is an inner commitment - it is faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Baptism is the public act stating you belong to Christ.
Again Jesus said, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
enter the kingdom of God." John
3:5. Born of the Spirit means to be transformed from within.
It means to allow the Holy Spirit to change our heart - our mind - which
leads to outward changes in behavior and actions. When we are changed,
then we witness to that change by baptism.
A man and woman fall in love. They know in their hearts they
love each other and they make a commitment to each other. Their public
wedding is an announcement that they have renounced all other relationships
and that they belong only to each other. Baptism is the public announcement
that you have renounced the world and its sinful ways. That you and Jesus
are committed to each other.
How should a person be baptized? Is it by sprinkling, pouring,
or dipping in water? Is it dropping rose petals on the head or putting
oil on the forehead? Scripture is clear. There is "One Lord [Jesus],
one faith [Bible religion], one baptism [not several ways]." Ephesians
4:5.
True baptism is one method only. It is the way Jesus was baptized.
"When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water..."
Matthew
3:17. Jesus was baptized by immersion - totally covered with
water, for that is what baptism means. It means to be immersed or
buried. So when we follow the example of Jesus, we are "buried with Him
through baptism." Romans
6:4. Any other form or method is not true Bible baptism.
The early Christian church practiced baptism by immersion for the first
three centuries and it was performed only after a person believed in Christ,
accepted Bible teachings, and repented of sin. Infant baptism is
not scriptural and was not practiced until hundreds of years after Christ
was on earth.
Baptism by immersion symbolizes three Biblical facts : (1) dying to
our old sinful way of life, (2) burying our sins in the watery grave, (3)
rising from the water to walk a new life. Romans
6:3,4.
There are three essential steps to take before baptism by immersion:
(1) "Repent, and ... be baptized."
Acts 2:38.
(2) "If you believe with all your heart ... " Acts
8:37.
(3) Learn - be taught. "Go therefore and make disciples ... teaching
them to observe all things that I have commanded you." Matthew
28:19,20.
Jesus is calling you just now. If you have never been baptized by immersion,
don't put it off. Accept Jesus. Accept His way of life. Bury your past
and live the abundant life with Him now in preparation for eternity.